Stalinism

Stalinism An adaptation of Communism by Stalin, whose practice was easier to discern than his theory. First and foremost, it entailed the ruthless maintenance of power through the cold-blooded elimination of oppositional leaders, groups, or entire sections of the population (such as the kulaks). Secondly, it denoted the overwhelming importance of the state security machine, which almost became a state within a state. Thirdly, in the economic sphere, it led to a system which saw the nationalization of industry and the near-complete collectivization of agriculture. Moreover, it focused on industrialization, and the development of heavy industry in particular, at the expense of agriculture as well as consumer goods. Finally, in political terms it meant the overwhelming dominance of Communist Party hierarchy, and particularly the party leader, over state institutions.

These practical aspects of Stalinism had the main purpose of keeping the particular leadership in power. Furthermore, it was used in the 1920s and 1930s to establish a truly Communist society through the rooting out of all elements that were perceived as ‘bourgeois’, i.e. those with property, links with bourgeois countries, or simply those in positions of responsibility. Finally, from World War II its purpose was to ensure the spread of Communism through the creation of a close system of satellite states in Eastern Europe, whose societies and political structures were to match those of the USSR as closely as possible. Towards the end of Stalin's life, and especially after Khrushchev's drive against Stalinism from 1956, it became mostly a derogatory term for excessive, paranoic violence.